Marketa D. Evans is the Government of Canada’s Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility Counsellor. The role of the Counsellor is to communicate the Government of Canada’s expectations regarding corporate conduct, assist companies and stakeholders in the resolution of disputes related to the corporate conduct of Canadian extractive companies (mining, oil and gas) abroad, and assist with the implementation of CSR performance standards.

Dr. Evans spent ten years in senior management positions in the Canadian banking sector, and was Executive Director of the Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto. Her research and teaching focused on the role of non-state actors in international development and on global corporate citizenship. She helped establish The Devonshire Initiative, a forum for partnership and dialogue between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the mining sector. Most recently, she was the Director, Strategic Partnerships, at Plan International Canada, one of the world’s leading development NGOs. She has been a member of external advisory panels for Natural Resources Canada, the World Economic Forum, Transparency International Canada and several private mining companies.

Dr. Evans is a frequent public commentator on issues of corporate social responsibility, cross sector partnership and the role of the private sector in international development. She holds a PhD in political science from the University of Toronto. She has completed Harvard University’s Program on Negotiation and the Basics of Geology, Mining and Metallurgy course at Queen’s University. She is currently working on the Udall Certificate in Environmental Collaboration at the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

Dr. Evans is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Agenda Council on Responsible Resource Management and the CSR and Mining Advisory Council of the Royal Ontario Museum.

Erica Bach joined the Office of the Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Counsellor, Government of Canada, as Senior Advisor in July 2010. Erica brings to this role a background in legal practice, international development and government, and she has considerable legal human rights experience.

Previously, Erica worked in the Legal Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). As Legal Officer, she provided legal analysis and advice on Canada’s international legal obligations in the area of human rights, and represented Canada in multilateral negotiations relating to human rights.

Prior to joining the Canadian federal government, Erica worked internationally, including for a refugee rights project in South Africa, a rule of law initiative with the legal profession in Zimbabwe, and a justice sector reform project with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mozambique.

Erica began her legal career with Macleod Dixon LLP in Calgary after completing a clerkship at the Court of Queen’s Bench and the Court of Appeal of Alberta in Edmonton. She holds a dual degree LL.M. from New York University and the National University of Singapore, an LL.B. from Dalhousie University and a B.A. from Concordia University.

Erica has completed the Basics of Geology, Mining & Metallurgy course at Queen’s University. As well, she has completed coursework through Harvard University’s Program on Negotiation and the Facilitation and Mediation of Public and Environmental Conflicts course through CDR Associates. Erica is also working on the Udall Certificate in Environmental Collaboration at the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

She can be reached at Erica.Bach@international.gc.ca.

A graduate of Trinity College at the University of Toronto, Edward has been involved with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), Plan, and the African Medical Research and Education Foundation. Drawn to security issues in post-conflict environments, Ted served as an officer in the Canadian army; as well, he undertook field research investigating innovative approaches to rehabilitating former child soldiers in Central Africa.

Ted was most recently a governance advisor to local government in Zambia.  He is now interning with the United Nation’s Resident Coordinator in Lusaka as well as undertaking graduate studies in Humanitarian Action at Uppsala University.